Herschelle Gibbs to play for Perth

Perth Scorchers might have missed out on Chris Gayle but they have secured another international star after signing the South Africa batsman Herschelle Gibbs for the Big Bash League. On the second day of the tournament's initial contract window, Perth had already named half their 18-man squad, with Gibbs and Michael Hussey the major new signings.

Hobart Hurricanes also confirmed their first players, with the Pakistan allrounder Rana Naved-ul-Hasan set to return to the city after previously playing Twenty20 cricket with Tasmania. Hobart also locked in the Tasmania pair of Tim Paine and Xavier Doherty, both of whom are Cricket Australia-contracted.

The SCG-based Sydney Sixers signed the local allrounders Steven Smith and Moises Henriques, while South Australia's Daniel Harris and Cameron Borgas will line up for Adelaide Strikers. Brisbane Heat added Chris Lynn and Nick Buchanan, two young Queensland players, to their squad, while Mitchell Marsh, Tom Beaton and Nathan Coulter-Nile will join Perth.

But the biggest-name recruit on Friday was Gibbs, who will join his former South Africa coach Mickey Arthur, who is Perth's mentor. Arthur said Gibbs, 37, who no longer plays for the South Africa national team, and Hussey, would be significant assets for Perth as they aimed to win the inaugural BBL title and qualify for the Champions League.

"When recruiting international players you need to make sure these players bring outstanding qualities and add value to your set-up, and I firmly believe in Herschelle we have exactly that," Arthur said. "I have known Herschelle for many years and have seen him destroy some of the best attacks in world cricket. I am looking forward to seeing him take to the KFC Big Bash League in a similar manner and I'm sure the Perth Scorcher's fans will really warm to him.

"Mike [Hussey] is a legend of Western Australia cricket and despite the fact we may not see him line up for Perth very often, we wanted to make sure he was not going anywhere else. If for any reason he has a chance to play more KFC Big Bash League matches than anticipated, we want to ensure he is doing it in the orange colours."